Campus Progress is determined to keep you busy. Last week they hosted an early peek at an episode of The Wire. Tomorrow they’ll be continuing their advance screening M.O., offering an opportunity to watch an episode of the civil rights documentary Eyes On The Prize prior to its return to PBS later this fall.
A screening of a twenty year-old documentary may not sound like a big deal, but in this case it is. Despite being considered one of the most important popular accounts of the Civil Rights Movement, Eyes On The Prize hasn’t been in circulation for quite a while. Instead, it’s been stuck in copyright purgatory, as the expiration of licensed rights to archival footage used in the film prevented its distribution. The situation was so dire that the film took on a second life as a rallying point for copyright reform activists.
Fortunately, conscientious donors have stepped in and raised the funds necessary to make Eyes On The Prize accessible to the public once again. But if you can’t wait for its return to the airwaves — or if you’d like to participate in the post-screening Q&A session — you should head over to Campus Progress’s RSVP page for the event. The screening will be taking place tomorrow, September 26, at 7 p.m. at E Street Cinema. Admission is free, but spaces are limited.